Multiple components flow gun

ABSTRACT

A device is disclosed for receiving fluid components from a proportioning device and delivering the components to a mixing tube for chemical reaction of the components. The device comprises a housing having two inlet chambers and an outlet chamber. One of the fluids is connected to the first inlet chamber while the other fluid is connected to the second inlet chamber and both inlet chambers are fluidly connected to the outlet chamber by separate fluid passageways. A valve assembly is operable to simultaneously open both fluid passageways so that the fluids from the inlet chambers flow into the outlet chamber and then out from the device housing to the mixing tube. The device housing comprises two housing parts which are detachably secured together and, when separated, provide open access to the valve members and outlet chamber for cleaning and to enable a ratio check to be performed at a point in the system close to the mixing tube.

This is a continuation of co-pending application Ser. No. 748,707, filedon June 25, 1985, now abandoned, which was a divisional of U.S. Ser. No.411,902, filed on Aug. 26, 1982, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

I. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a system for mixing and dispensing twoor more fluids such as glue components and more particularly, to a gunfor such a system for receiving at least two fluids from a proportioningdevice and delivering the fluids to a mixing and dispensing tube so thatthe mixed substances can be deposited at the point of use.

II. Description of the Prior Art

In certain types of adhesives, commonly known as epoxy adhesives, twofluid components are intermixed to form the adhesive before the adhesiveis applied to the desired surface. Such adhesives form a very strongbond once the fluids or glue components are mixed together and are oftenused in industrial applications.

It is very difficult, if not altogether impossible, to clean theinternal chambers and passageways of the previously known adhesivedispensers. This is particularly critical for adhesive dispensers sincethe adhesive can harden and render the dispenser inoperable and useless.

There are other applications where chemically reacted materials are usedsuch as in the use of silicones and polyurethanes where it is necessaryto mix two or more substances before dispensing the mixed material atthe point of use. Again, the ability to clean the equipment used todispense such materials is very important.

Presently available systems include a proportioning means for providingthe components in the proper proportions and a mixing and dispensingtube for delivering the mixed, chemically reacted components to thepoint of use. Such systems have heretofore not included a convenientmeans for accurately checking the proportions of the components beingdelivered to the mixing tube. This is important to insure a properlyreacted final product.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention provides a system for mixing and dispensing two ormore fluids, such as adhesive components, which overcomes all of theabove disadvantages of the previously-known devices.

In brief, the system of the present invention includes a multiplecomponent flow gun connected intermediate the proportioning device andthe mixing means. The gun comprises a housing having two inlet chambersand an outlet chamber. A first fluid from the proportioning means, suchas a first adhesive component, is fluidly connected to one inlet chamberwhile a second fluid from the proportioning means such as a secondadhesive component which will chemically react with the first componentto produce an adhesive, is connected to the other chamber. In addition,a pair of passageways fluidly connect in the inlet chambers with theoutlet chamber while an outlet passageway in the housing connects with amixing device such as a static type mixing tube.

A valve member is operatively disposed in each passageway between theinlet and outlet chambers and the valve members are simultaneouslymovable between an open and closed position. In their closed position,the valve members prevent fluid flow from the inlet chambers to theoutlet chamber. Conversely, in their open position, fluid flows fromboth inlet chambers to the outlet chamber whereupon he fluids are thendelivered to the mixing tube.

In the preferred form of the invention, the housing comprises a firstand second housing part which are detachably secured together so thatthe valve outlets are readily accessible for cleaning and to provide ameans for taking ratio checks as will become more apparent as theconstruction and operation of the device is described in greater detail.Furthermore, with the housing part separated, the outlet chamber is alsoaccessible for any necessary cleaning.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

A better understanding of the present invention will be had uponreference to the following detailed description when read in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawing, wherein like reference characters referto like parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating a preferred embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing the preferred embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially along line3--3 in FIG. 1 and enlarged for clarity; and

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken substantially along line 4--4 inFIG. 1 and enlarged for clarity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

With reference first to FIGS. 1 and 2, the flow gun of the presentinvention comprises a housing 10 having a first part 12 and a secondpart 14. The housing parts 12 and 14 are detachably secured together ina manner which will be subsequently described. In addition, the firsthousing part 12 includes a hand grip 16 to facilitate the manualmanipulation of the gun.

With reference now particularly to FIG. 3, a first inlet chamber 18 andsecond inlet chamber 20 are formed in the first housing part 12. As canbest: be seen in FIG. 2, a first fluid component 22 is connected byconventional fluid fittings to the first inlet chamber 18 while,similarly, a second fluid component 24 is connected by conventionalfluid fittings to the second inlet chamber 20. The fluid components 22and 24 preferably are delivered to the chambers 18 and 20 in the properproportions to be chemically reactive by a proportioning means (notshown).

With reference now particularly to FIG. 3, an outlet chamber 26 isformed within the second housing part 14. This outlet chamber 26 is opento an exhaust passageway 28 formed in the second housing part 14. Thepassageway 28 delivers the first and second components to a static typemixing tube 30 which discharges the chemically reacted material to thepoint of use. The tube 30 is mounted to the housing part 14 byconventional fluid fitting 32.

With reference still to FIG. 3, a first fluid passageway 34 fluidlyconnects the first inlet chamber 18 with the outlet chamber 26.Similarly, a second fluid passageway 36 fluidly connects the secondinlet chamber 20 with the outlet chamber 26. A bushing 38 having a valveseat 40 is threadably secured to the first housing part 12 within eachpassageway 34 and 36. A conventional fluid seal 42 is provided betweeneach bushing 38 and the first housing part 12.

Still referring to FIG. 3, a pair of studs 44 are secured to and extendoutwardly from one end 46 of the first housing part 12. These studs 44are slidably received through bores 48 formed in the second housing part14. Nuts 50 then threadably engage the studs 44 so that, upontightening, the nuts detachably secure the housing parts 12 and 14together. Furthermore, the housing parts 12 and 14 abut together along aplane that is open to the outlet chamber 26. Consequently, upondetachment of the housing parts 12 and 14, as shown in FIG. 2, theoutlet chamber 26 is open and accessible for any necessary cleaning.

A valve member 52 is positioned within each passageway 34 and 36 and ismovable between an open position, shown in phantom line, and a closedposition, shown in solid line. In its closed position, each valve member52 engages its associated valve seat 40 and prevents fluid flow throughthe passageways 34 and 36. Conversely, with the valve members 52 intheir open position, the valve members 52 permit free fluid flow fromthe inlet chambers 18 and 20 into the outlet chamber 26.

Upon detachment of the nuts 50 and separation of the housing parts 12and 14, the valves 52 and their associates seats are also exposed andaccessible for cleaning.

An elongated rod 54 is secured at one end to each valve member 52. Therods 54 extend through packing assemblies 56 secured to the firsthousing part 12 so that the other ends 58 of the rods 54 are positionedoutside of the housing 10. The other ends 58 of the rods 54 are securedby nuts 60 to a bracket 62. Nuts 57 engage the packing assemblies 56 topermit compensation for wear in a conventional manner.

With reference now particularly to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, an actuator rod 64is mounted to the bracket 62. A roller 66 is pivotally secured by apivot pin 68 to a midpoint of a trigger 70. The end of the rod 64engages the roller 66. The upper end of the trigger 70 is pivotallysecured by a pin 72 (FIG. 1) to the first housing part 12 so that thetrigger 70 is movable between the position shown in solid line andphantom line in FIG. 1. With the trigger in the position shown inphantom line, the bracket 62 is also moved rearwardly thussimultaneously retracting both valve members 52 to their open position.The nuts 60 securing the valve rods 54 to the bracket 62 also provide anadjustment to ensure that both valve members 52 simultaneously open andclose. A spring 74 between the bracket 62 and a bushing 76 secured tothe first housing 12 urges the valve members 52 towards their closedposition.

The rolling engagement between the trigger 70 and the actuating rod 64which is provided by the roller 66 compensates for arcuate movement ofthe trigger 70 produced by the pivotal connection at 72.

Referring again particularly to FIG. 3, a bleed valve 78 is containedwithin the bushing 76 and is urged to its closed position by acompression spring 80. The bleed valve 78 is aligned with a rearwardlyextending portion 82 of the actuator rod 64, so that, when the valvemembers 52 are moved to their open position, the actuator rod portion 82upsets and opens the bleed valve 78 against the force of the compressionspring 80.

One side of the bleed valve 78 is open through the bushing 76 toatmospheric pressure while the other side of the valve 78 is connectedby a conduit 84 to a source 86 of pressure other than atmosphericpressure. The source 86 can be either positive pressure, i.e., greaterthan atmospheric pressure, or negative pressure, i.e., a vacuum. Means88" associated with the pressure source 86 utilize the pressure changeproduced by the bleed valve 78 to start a clock 88' which will set offan alarm 88 if the gun 10 has been idle too long.

With reference now particularly to FIG. 4, an auxiliary passageway 90 isformed through the second housing part 14 and is connected by aconventional fluid fitting 92, through a shut-off valve 94 and conduit96 to a pressurized auxiliary fluid source 98, such as solvent. Inaddition, a one way check valve 100 permits flow of the solvent 98, oncethe shut-off valve 94 is opened, into the outlet chamber 26 butordinarily prevents the fluid component from being delivered to the gun10 during ordinary operation from flowing past the valve 100 into theconduit 96.

In operation, the device of the present invention is particularlysuitable for mixing and dispensing two adhesive components. Each source22 and 24 of the adhesive components are pressurized by theproportioning device (not shown) and the pressurized adhesive componentsare delivered to the inlet chambers 18 and 22 in the proper proportionsto produce the desired chemical reaction. The valve members 52 aresimultaneously opened by squeezing the trigger 70 against the hand grip16 whereupon the adhesive components flow into the outlet chamber 26,are intermixed and flow outwardly through the outlet passage 28 and intothe mixing tube 30. The flow of adhesive from the mixing tube can beinterrupted at any time by releasing the trigger 70.

The mixing tube 30 has not been described in detail, but it is aconventional type static type mixer which receives the components fromthe gun 10 in relatively unmixed form and mixes them sufficiently priorto dispensing them from the end so that they have chemically reacted toproduce the desired chemical material.

Whenever the valve members 52 are open, the portion 82 of the actuatorrod 64 simultaneously upsets or opens the bleed valve 78 which decreasesthe pressure differential between the pressure source 86 and atmosphericpressure. When the valve members are closed, the pressure differentialagain increases and this increase can be utilized by means not shown toset a clock so that the length of time the gun 10 has not been used canbe readily determined or if desired, to actuate means to put intooperation an automatic purging system after the lapse of somepredetermined time period. As long as the gun 10 is being used andcomponents are freely flowing through the device, there is little dangerof clogging. Clogging will occur, however, if the gun 10 is permitted tosit idle for too long a period of time.

To clean the gun 10, the operator closes both valve members 52 byreleasing the trigger 70. The shut-off valve 94 is opened so thatsolvent flows through the outlet chamber 26 and out through thedispensing tube 30. Alternatively, the housing parts 12 and 14 can bedetached from each other and the outlet chamber 26 and its adjacentcomponents and passageways cleaned as required.

An important advantage of the device of the present invention is thedetachability of the housing parts 12 and 14 to provide easy access tothe outlet side of the valves 52 to permit a ratio check. Properchemical reaction requires that the fluid components be delivered to themixing tube 30 in the correct proportions. Previous systems have notincluded means for checking the proportions of such materials at a pointclosely adjacent the mixing tube 30.

In the present invention, the housing parts 12 and 14 can be separated,the valves 52 opened and the material passing past the valves 52collected to perform the ratio check. The check will be accurate becauseit is performed at a point in the system near the entrance to the mixingtube 30.

Having described my invention, however, many modifications thereto willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains withoutdeviation from the spirit of the invention as defined by the scope ofthe appended claims.

I claim:
 1. In a system for mixing and dispensing two or more fluids, aflow gun comprising:a housing having at least two inlet chambers and anoutlet chamber, means for fluidly connecting a first fluid to one inletchamber and a second fluid to the other inlet chamber, a first fluidpassageway for fluidly connecting said one inlet chamber to said outletchamber, a second fluid passageway for fluidly connecting said otherinlet chamber to said outlet chamber, an outlet fluid passageway havingone end open to said outlet chamber and its other end open exteriorly ofsaid housing, valve means movable between an open and a closed positionfor simultaneously opening and closing said first and second fluidpassageways, wherein said housing comprises a first part and a secondpart, said housing parts abutting together along a plane open to saidoutlet chamber, means for detachably securing said housing partstogether, wherein said outlet chamber is wholly formed in said secondhousing part, wherein said valve means are wholly attached to said firsthousing part so that, upon detachment of said housing parts andactuation of said valve means, the dispensing ratio of said fluids canbe measured.
 2. The invention as defined in claim 1 and in whichdetaching said housing parts exposes the outlet side of said valve meanswhereby the flow across said valve means can be measured with saidhousing parts detached.
 3. The invention as defined in claim 1 whereinsaid valve means comprises a valve seat formed in each of said first andsecond fluid passageways, a valve member which cooperates with eachseat, an elongated rod secured at one end to each valve member and itsother end extending outwardly from said housing, means attached to saidrods for simultaneously moving said valve members toward and away fromsaid valve seats.
 4. The invention as defined in claim 1 and comprisingspring means between said housing and said valve means for urging saidvalve means towards said closed position.
 5. The invention as defined inclaim 1 wherein said detachable securing means comprises at least onethreaded stud secured to one of said housing parts, said stud slidablypositioned through a bore in the other housing part, and a nut whichthreadably engages said stud.
 6. The invention as defined in claim 1 andcomprising an auxiliary passageway formed in said housing, saidauxiliary passageway having one end open to said outlet chamber and itsother end open exteriorly of said housing, said auxiliary passagewayadapted for connection with a further fluid source.
 7. The invention asdefined in claim 6 and comprising one way valve means operativelydisposed in said auxiliary passageway.